of dubham



Jan. 27, 1931. DlXON 1,790,411

WRENCH I Fild March 15, 1929 INVENTOR. FATE D X0 N BY WM A TTORNE Y.

Patented Jan. 27, 1931 stares PATENT orri cr;

' 1 FATE DIXON, O F DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA, ASSIGNOR OFLONE -HALF TO WILLIAIH H.

. r ROWE, OF DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA "wRENoH Application filed March 15, 1929. Serial No. 347,375.

My invention relates to improvements in wrenches, particularly well adapted for use as pipeflwrenches, while notnecessarily restricted to this use 7 1 In accordance with my invention, a selfadjusting wrench is provided, embodyingv a handle, carrying an attaching portion at its forward end. A pair of generally parallel shanks have their rear ends pivotally connected with the attachin member, in such in a manner that the shanks may be swung through a' distance of approximately 90. The shanksretain the general parallel relation, during the shifting swinging movement. One'shank is provided at its forward end with a jaw, which is preferably serrated, and the other shank is provided at its forward end with a laterally projecting jaw, preferably serrated, which overhangs the first named jaw. One jaw carries a guide strap or element slidably receiving the co-acting shank. The arrangement ofthe severalparts is .such that when the shanks are disposed at substantially a straight angle to the handle, the jaws are in the inner or substantially closed position. -These jaws engage when in the closed position, and hence positively limit the swinging movement ofthe shanks in one directionwith relation to the handle, beyond the straight angle position. The shanks maybe swung laterally in the opposite direction through a distance of approximately 90 to .assume'a position at approximately a right angle to the handle. This swinging movement is limited by one shank engaging the co-acting shank, adjacent to its pivot. maximum range of adjustment is effected between the jaws, by thelateralswinging movejment of the shanks with relation to the handle. Hence the jaws may be applied to pipes of varying diameters. When the aws are thus applied to the pipe, and the handle is swung in a direction to turn the pipe, the jaws are forced toward each other and clamp the pipe. The jaws, therefore, have a selfadjusting action when engaging the pipe. Further, when the jaws are engaging the pipe or other work, the handle is arranged at an angle other than a straight angle with rela- The arrangement is such that the tion to the jaw shanks, and hence the handle projects away from the work and maybe more conveniently manipulated. This is an important'f eature when the wrench is used in a close space.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in whichlike numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same, 1

Figure l is a side elevation of a wrench embodying my invention, showing the jaws closed,

Figure 2 is a similar view, showing the jaws opened and the jaw carrying shanks extending transversely ofthe handle,

Figure 3 is a viewsimilarto Figure 1, with parts in central vertical section, for the purposeofillustration, and, a

Figure 4 is a transverse section taken on line 4 '4: of Figure 3. j 1

In-the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration, is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 designates a handle, provided at its forward end with a laterally enlarged attaching portion or member 6, preferably formed integral therewith. Thisattaching part or member embodies spaced side plates 7, as shown.

Go-acting with the attaching portion 6, are preferably straight shanks 8 and 9, which remain permanently in approximate parallel relation, during the use of the wrench. The rear ends of these shanks extend into the space between the plates 7, andthese rear ends are preferably rounded to fit within re cesses 10, as shown. The. shank 8 is longer than the shank 9 and projects rearwardly be yond the same for asubstantial distance as shown. At their rear ends, the shanks 8 and 9 are apertured for receiving pivots or pins 11 and 12, extending through the plates 7, and attached thereto, as is obvious.

Particular attention is called to the fact that the pivot 11 is disposed rearwardly of the pivot 12, a suitable distance, whereby the shanks 8 and 9 may be swung in one direction, from the straight angle position, through approximately 90, to assume the lateral position, as indicated in Figure 2.

'The shank 9 is provided at its forward end a distance of approximately 90.

with a jaw 13, which is preferably serrated, and the shank 8 has a aw 14, preferably serrated, and projecting laterally to extend over the jaw 13. When the shanks 8 and 9 assume the straight angle position with relation to the handle, these jaws l3 and 1d engage each other, thus positively limiting the swinging movement of the shanks in one direction, with relation to the handle. The serrated faces of the aws 13 and 14 remain generally parallel, so that they assume positions to effectively engage with the work, The jaw 13 is provided at its inner end with a sliding contacting portion 15, which is recessed, to receive the edge of the shank 8, and this recessed portion is preferably curved both transversely; and longitudinally The longitudinal curvature of the recess is important as it permits of the proper restricted relative rolling action between thelinks, and reduces the tendency to binding action, to the. minimum.

The shank 9 is provided with a guide element or strap 16, formed of metal or the like, and which may be riveted or otherwise rigidly attached to the same. This strap may be formed integral with the shank 9, if desired. The guide element or strap slidably receives the shank 8, and serves to prevent undue spreading action between the shanks 8 and 9, but provides suiiicient clearance, at its end, as shown at 17, whereby the shanks may be shifted laterally in one direction with relation to the handle 5.

The operation of the wrench is as follows:

lVhen the shanks 8 and 9 are arranged at a straight angle to the handle 5, aws 1S and 14 engage each other, and positively limit the swinging movement of the shanks 8 and 9 in one direction, with relation to the handle. The shanks open the jaws 13 and 14 for the reception of the work, such as a pipe 18.

The shanks 8- and 9 are swung laterally and rearwardly, and may be swung tirough a hen suiliciently opened, the jaws 13 and 1d are applied toor upon opposite sides of the work and are brought into clamping engagement thermvdth, by swinging the handle forwardly. he swinging movement of the handle with relation to the jaws, servesto automatically clamp the jaws against the work.

opened, and receive the work, the handle 5 is arranged at an angle other than a straight angle with relation to the shanks 8 and 9, and hence will project away from the work and may be more conveniently and effectively manipulated. H the handle were arranged at a straight anglewith relation to the shank, of thev aws, and; the jaws applied to. a pipe disposed adjacent to. a floor or the like, then the handle would be disposed so closeto the floor that its stroke would be so. short that the wrench could not, be effectively operated.

By having the handle arranged at gener ally a right angle to the shanks of the jaws, when the jaws are applied to a pipe disposed adjacent to the floor, the handle will extend vertically from the floor and may, therefore, be swung downwardly through a much increased stroke or arc, thus rendering the operation of the wrench more effective.

lVhile I have shown and described my wrench as used, as a pipe wrench, the invention is not necessarily restricted to such use, as it may be used for turning other objects, like the ordinary monkey wrench.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention, herewith shown and described, is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention, or the scope of the subjoined claim.

' Having thus described my invention, I claim A wrench of the character described, comprising a handle, a shank having a serrated jaw at its forward end and pivotally connected with the forward portion of the handle, said jaw being provided at its inner end with a recess having a bottom wall which is longitudinally convex, a second shank which is substantially longer than the first named shank and provided at its forward end with a serrated jaw projecting laterally over the first named serrated jaw, the second named shank engaging within said recess whereby the shanks are arranged in close relation and a restricted relative rolling movement per-v mitted, means pivotally connecting the rear end of the second shank with the forward portion of the handle at a point rearwardly of the pivot of the first shank, the lengths of said shanks and the arrangement of the pivots being such that the serrated jaws are closed when the shanks are disposed at substantially a straight angle to the handle, the handle being adapted to be swung upon said pivots of the shanks in a direction away from said serrated jaws to assume a position at approximately a right angle to said shanks whereby the serrated jaws are opened, and a guide strap secured to one shank and receiving therein the other shank, said guide strap being disposed rearwardly of the first named jaw, said guide strap having a transverse portion provided with a longitudinally convex wall to contact with the edge of the adjacent shank.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

FATE DIXON. 

